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UK TV-on-demand site SeeSaw to close

It’s just been announced that next month will be the end for SeeSaw, the platform that has let millions of UK viewers watch TV online.

It says:

“Following a strategic review of its business activities Arqiva, our parent company, is no longer able to support the service.”

SeeSaw was launched in February last year, and the video-on-demand service broadcasted recent episodes of TV shows such as Hollyoaks, Neighbours and Skins.

SeeSaw went public initially with over 3,000 hours of free content, supported by advertising. By June 2010, a pay-per-programme feature was added, which included a 48-hour viewing window. The service had also agreed a deal with large networks such as MTV, to broadcast shows including South Park. Furthermore, various BBC Worldwide shows were made available to rent.

On 19 January this year, Arqiva announced that it planned to find an investment partner for SeeSaw, and it was believed that it was considering selling the service.

The news that SeeSaw will be ceasing will disappoint many people who had grown to love the service. But online services such as TVCatchup continue to broadcast shows from across the UK’s TV airwaves, but it doesn’t go as far as the service SeeSaw strived to offer.

In its parting comments, SeeSaw said on its blog:

“We’d like to take this opportunity to say a big ‘thanks’ for all your support, custom and loyalty over the last 16 months. We’re a small team but we hope we’ve made a big difference and that you’ve had fun watching TV with us.”

SeeSaw will cease to be on the 20th of June 2011, and all personal information it holds will be destroyed in accordance with its data protection policy. Viewers can continue to watch over 3,000 hours of free content, including catch-up programmes from 4oD and Demand Five, until it closes. And customers with active rentals can view them until 20th June, unless they expire before that date.

From 31st May, SeeSaw will no longer accept transactions for rental programmes, so if users have a voucher it will need to be used before this date.